The processors range in speed from 1-2GHz and all feature an 800MHz frontside bus.

According to VIA’s press release:

“Based on the 64-bit superscalar ‘Isaiah’ architecture, VIA Nano 3000 Series processors deliver the most compelling thin and light notebook computing experience with their rich HD entertainment capabilities, including support for flawless playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video, as well as low power consumption resulting in longer battery life.”

The new processors are currently available to system builders and are expected to show up in retail markets in the first quarter of next year, presumably to take on Intel’s upcoming line of PineTrail processors.

Here’s the full press release:

VIA Introduces New VIA Nano 3000 Series Processors

VIA’s fastest and most power efficient processors yet deliver richest mobile and all-in-one desktop computing experience

Taipei, Taiwan, 3 November 2009 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms,　today introduced its new VIA Nano 3000 Series processors, bringing enhanced digital media performance and lower power consumption to Windows 7 thin and light notebook and all-in-one desktop PC markets.

Based on the 64-bit superscalar ‘Isaiah’ architecture, VIA Nano 3000 Series processors deliver the most compelling thin and light notebook computing experience with their rich HD entertainment capabilities, including support for flawless playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video, as well as low power consumption resulting in longer battery life.

With a host of advanced features including 64-bit support, advanced CPU virtualization technology, SSE4 for enhanced multimedia processing, and the industry-leading encryption and security capabilities integrated in the VIA PadLock™ Security Engine, VIA Nano 3000 Series processors also provide a secure, high-performance solution for emerging cloud-based computing environments.

“With the VIA Nano 3000 Series, we are launching our fastest and most power-efficient processors yet,” commented Richard Brown, VP International Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Coupled with our market-leading digital media chipsets, they enable the richest experience across a broad range of mobile and all-in-one system designs.”

VIA Nano 3000 Series
VIA Nano 3000 Series processors are built on the successful 64-bit, superscalar architecture that powers the VIA Nano 1000 Series and 2000 Series processors, which have been adopted by leading OEMs worldwide for a growing number of market-leading mini-note, small form factor desktop, and energy-efficient server designs.

Available at speeds from 1.0GHz to 2.0GHz, VIA Nano 3000 Series processors deliver up to 20% higher performance using up to 20% less power than current VIA Nano processors and boast a number of new features including support for the SSE4 multimedia instruction set and VIA VT virtualization technology.

Fully compatible with all Microsoft operating systems, including the new Windows 7, as well as all popular Linux distributions, the VIA Nano 3000 Series processors use the NanoBGA2 package, making them pin-to-pin compatible with VIA Nano 1000 Series, VIA Nano 2000 Series, VIA C7, VIA C7-M and VIA Eden processors for easy upgrades of existing designs.

VIA Nano 3000 Series Availability
VIA Nano 3000 Series processor samples are currently available for OEMs and motherboard vendors, and will enter mass production in Q1 2010.

The iPod nano has become very popular with the gym crowd. It’s light, doesn’t skip, and is inexpensive enough that if it gets stolen, it’s not the end of the world. The bad news is, many gyms are banning the new version, due to the camera. Seems that recording devices in general are verboten in gym locker rooms, and something small and concealable like an iPod nano is exactly what they are trying to avoid.

So should Apple make a nano without a camera? The features of the new version make it perfect except for that pesky camera. Perhaps gyms could allow you to check your nano before you go into the locker room, and then pick it up on the way out. One word of warning, if you do smuggle your nano in, please don’t forget that there is ‘good naked’ and ‘bad naked’. Oh, and don’t buy the yellow one.

[via Slashgear]

This is it under direct light. I promise I’ll get more pictures soon.

The rendering seems at least plausible. There isn’t any large change between the current generation and this model. Cameras are cheap and small now so it doesn’t seem out of the question to stuff one in the nano somewhere. The placement, however, seems wonky. The screen size is better suited for widescreen playback and well, the plastic body should at least scratch less despite probably feeling cheap.

Only time will tell if this is the real thing. Chances are we will see more “leaks” and renderings before it is released anyway.

This little guy comes in two sizes: 4GB and 8GB. Both support upto 15Mb/s read and 6Mb/s write speeds, which doesn’t make these the fastest on the block, but the overall charm is enough to have us look the other way. Expect to pay either $22 for the 4GB or $33 for the 8GB.

Japan-based chemistry company Teijin announced the development of underwear that can burn away body fat. All that wearers need to do is let the fabric hug their skin to generate friction resistance when they go about their daily routines.

The fabric is based on a polyester nanofiber, which is supposedly very soft and was first made public by Teijin last year. Usually, the so-called Nanofront fibers are used for industrial polishing cloths and are just 700 nanometers in diameter (a strand of hair is 7,500 times thicker). Nanofront is said to be 200,000 times more flexible than conventional polyester fibers (15μm in diameter).

Teijin claims that people who have worn the Nanofront underwear in experiments for 40 consecutive days lowered their body fat by “several percent” and consequently reduced waist size by several centimeters. The company is already in talks with a number of apparel makers and hopes to commercialize its technology as early as in next year’s spring or summer fashion season.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

We’ll pick one winner at random on Monday.

Thanks for playing and thanks to Coveroo!

According to Le Journal du Geek, the much-fabled iPhone Nano is coming in June, and will be debuted by none other than Jobs himself. The new, meaty bit: to make it smaller (for the sake of the whole “Nano” bit), they say the home button has been moved to the side – but that 3G, GPS, and WiFi get to stay!

Okay, look. The whole iPhone Nano thing is bananas. I’m pretty sure people have been gossiping about the possibility of a smaller iPhone before the iPhone even existed (Newton Nano!), so at this point debunking the rumors is just marginally less silly than making them in the first place. Rather than debunking this new one, we’ll tell it how we see it and let you do the decision making.

Read the rest of this entry >>

No surprise here, but VIA’s issued a press release officially announcing that Samsung’s NC20, the 12-inch successor to the NC10 netbook, does indeed have a VIA Nano CPU – a fact that’s been known for quite some time now. Along with the news, we’ve got some official specs for the soon-to-be-released computer, although we still don’t have official pricing or launch dates.

First, the specs:

• 12.1-inch LED WXGA (1280 x 800) screen
• VIA Nano™ ULV Processor U2250 (1.3+GHz, 800MHz)
• Integrated VIA Chrome9 graphics
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• 1GB DDR2 RAM (1*SODMM)
• 160GB HDD (9.5mmH 2.5”HDD, SATA)
• 1.3 MP web camera
• Ethernet/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
• Three USB ports, 3-in-1 card reader
• Six-cell battery good for up to 6.5 hours
• Weighs 3.3 pounds

Hopefully that RAM is easily upgradeable. The Nano chipset can apparently handle up to 4GB of RAM and people might want more than 1GB to play with. Also – and I never thought I’d say this about a laptop – that 3.3-pound weight actually seems a bit heavy for a netbook. It’s probably a small price to pay for a six-cell battery, though, if you’re looking for almost day-long computing without needing to recharge.

Again, no official word on pricing and availability here in the US, although Amazon UK has the machine listed at £379.54 (just under $550 US) with a March 1st in-stock date.

Here’s the full press release:

Samsung Adopts VIA Nano Processor for the Samsung NC20 12.1″ Mini-Notebook

VIA Nano processor platform enables the Samsung NC20 to deliver superior performance and battery life in a sleek 12.1″ mini-notebook form factor

Taipei, Taiwan, 27 February 2009 – VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced that Samsung has adopted the VIA Nano processor in the new Samsung NC20 mini-notebook.

Combining the power efficient 1.3+GHz VIA Nano™ processor with the highly-integrated VIA VX800 system media processor, the Samsung NC20 also features a stunning 1280×800 12.1″ display, ensuring an outstanding video experience and enabling a full-size 12″ notebook keyboard with optimized 18.5mm key spacing and larger touchpad in a highly portable device that weighs just 1.52kg.

Mobility is enhanced by 802.11b/g and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a six-cell battery that provides up to 6.5 hours of use independent of any power supply, while storage options include either a solid state disk or a SATA hard disk drive. Other features include an integrated 1.3 mega pixel digital motion camera, 3-in-1 memory card reader and three built-in USB ports.

“We are delighted that Samsung has adopted the VIA Nano processor for the Samsung NC20,” said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “This is a truly ground-breaking product that sets the new industry standard for consumer mini-notes and clearly demonstrates the advanced performance of our VIA Nano processor platform.”

Samsung NC20 Mini-Notebook Specifications

Screen:              12.1″ LED WXGA (1280 x 800)
CPU:                  VIA Nano™ ULV Processor U2250 (1.3+GHz, 800MHz)
Chipset:              VIA VX800 Unified Digital Media IGP Chipset
Graphics:            Integrated VIA Chrome9™ with DirectX 9.0 3D graphics support and hardware video acceleration
OS:                     Microsoft○R Windows○R XP Home Edition
Memory:            1GB DDR2  (1*SODMM)
Storage:            160GB HDD (9.5mmH 2.5”HDD, SATA)
Webcam:           1.3 Mega pixels web camera
LAN:                   10/100Mbps LAN
Wireless:            Atheros 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth:           2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
I/O Ports:            USB2.0 x 3, Ethernet LAN, 3-in-1 card reader
Battery:               6 cells Li-ion Battery Standard
Dimensions:      292.4mm x 217mm x 30.7mm
Weight:              1.52kg
Special
Features:            6.5 hours battery life
Colours:              White

About the VIA Nano Processor Platform
The first 64-bit, superscalar processors in VIA’s x86 platform portfolio, VIA Nano processors have been specifically designed to revitalize traditional desktop and notebook PC markets, delivering truly optimized performance and security for the most demanding computing, entertainment and connectivity applications. The VIA Nano processor is coupled with the VIA VX800 system media processor with support for full Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 3D graphics, high definition video and audio playback, and up to 4GB of DDR2 system memory.

The VIA Nano processor family leverages advanced 65 nanometer process technology for enhanced power efficiency, and augments that with aggressive power and thermal management features within the compact 21mm x 21mm nanoBGA2 package for an idle power as low as 100mW (0.1W), extending the reach of power efficient green and silent PCs, thin and light notebooks and mini-notes around the world. For further information on the VIA Nano processor family, please visit the VIA website at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/processors/nano/

We may see Lenovo netbooks packing NVIDIA and VIA chips pretty soon here. Digitimes is reporting that “Lenovo plans to launch 11.6-inch and 12.1-inch netbooks combining Intel’s Atom processor and Nvidia’s Ion platform in the second quarter of this year.”

Lenovo’s apparently considering a 13-inch Ion model as well and already has plans to release a 12-inch VIA-based netbook (presumably the Nano). This is all good news for those of us who want to play games and watch HD videos without a hitch, as NVIDIA’s Ion chip is much, much more powerful than Intel’s standard 945G graphics.

[via jkOnTheRun]

AppleInsider has received photos of an iPhone nano clone that copies the original iPhone almost perfectly but in a considerably smaller form factor.

Rest assured that if a nano does hit the streets come MacWorld, it won’t look like this misshapen homonculous. I’ve been consistently wrong about Apple recently – I was sure the 3G would have a front facing camera – but I doubt the nano is going to make it to stores this year unless Apple truly has some magical factories that can turn out low-cost miniaturized devices in a down market.

Owner of a 4th-gen iPod nano? You might wanna download the 1.0.3 update for your new iPod. The 53MB patch adds Apple in-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic support along with fixes for some Cover Flow issues. Specifically the iPod doesn’t distort Cover Flow when using TV out slideshow and allows you to turn it off when rotating the iPod into a landscape position. So yeah, stop ignoring Software Update and download the patch.

UPDATE: I finished my drink and decided to put up the right pic.

Been waiting to pull the trigger on the new iPod Nano? Pull, damn it, pull! Amazon.com has the 8GB version for about $15 cheaper than most places. You can also get the 16GB version for $188.54, which is a little over $11 off the regular price of $200.

The fourth generation iPod Nano has a new curvy design, shake-to-shuffle feature, and an accelerometer for games, videos, and photos in landscape mode.

Apple iPod nano [Amazon.com]

Well isn’t this a load of crap. Apple’s annual “Back to School” event just finished up here in the States, but is apparently getting underway ‘cross the pond. Because of the timing, those lucky Brits will get the new iPod Nano announced last week, with our students getting hosed with the previous generation. More details on Apple’s UK website.

via TUAW

This is kind of a tradition now: new iPods launch and some chump has to tear ‘em apart. RapidRepair happened to chronicle the whole thing and provides instructions for us common folk for when we need to repair our new iPods.

4G Nano, 2G Classic, 2G Touch.

If you don’t own a Nano, get one of these. If you do, you can probably do to wait. The improvements to this model are manifold but not amazingly compelling, especially considering we haven’t had much time to play with the genius features yet.

Let me begin by saying that the updated hardware is quite incongruous. After the tall nano and the fat Nano, I can’t really wrap my head around the candy bar Nano. It’s almost exactly the same size as the 2G nano but is considerably thinner and the colors are absolutely gorgeous. But what improvements do we see?

The “shake to shuffle” feature is genius and should be in every iPhone and Touch. It’s an amazingly great little idea – I never listen to an album straight through anymore so shuffling is my go to function. The genius features are nice and the accelerometer is a nice addition, especially for the landscape video and picture viewing. In this iteration, the Nano is more like the Touch than the iPod. It doesn’t have a touchscreen and still has the scroll wheel so the marriage of new and old is a bit jarring.

Overall, it’s a great portable iPod but except for the Genius playlist I can’t see anything compelling in the upgrade. I’m fine for the fat and 2G Nano for running and there is nothing that encourages me to pick this up for video.

There you go kiddies. Apple has opened its floodgates for the masses. The new 120GB iPod classic, NIKE+ iPod Touch and 8GB Nano are shipping today, with the 16GB Nano’s shipping early next week and $79, two-way headphones shipping next month.

Just as we expected, Apple has upgraded the iPod Nano to the thinest evah, with an elongated screen, increased storage capacity, voice recorder, and nine color options. The screen will iPhone-ish rotate between landscape and portrait modes thanks to accelerometers making Cover-Flow and movie viewing more viable on the small iPod. New Genius playlists can also be created on the fly.

8GB for $149, 16GB for $199. Available today.